Isaiah 60

 ““Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you! For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor appears over you. Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light. Look all around you! They all gather and come to you – your sons come from far away and your daughters are escorted by guardians. Then you will look and smile, you will be excited and your heart will swell with pride. For the riches of distant lands will belong to you and the wealth of nations will come to you.”

— ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭1‬-‭5‬‬

“Foreigners will rebuild your walls; their kings will serve you. Even though I struck you down in my anger, I will restore my favor and have compassion on you.”

— ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭10‬‬

“You were once abandoned and despised, with no one passing through, but I will make you a permanent source of pride and joy to coming generations.”

— ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭15‬‬

“The sun will no longer supply light for you by day, nor will the moon’s brightness shine on you; the Lord will be your permanent source of light – the splendor of your God will shine upon you. Your sun will no longer set; your moon will not disappear; the Lord will be your permanent source of light; your time of sorrow will be over.”

— ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭19‬-‭20‬‬

No idea why v. 3 would be a daily verse. Even out of context it makes no sense, and I’m confused how “you” would be taken and how “nations” would be taken. But anyway, even reading the whole chapter, it takes 10-11 verses to realize what the “you” is. (Probably why we don’t start reading in ch 60)

YHWH is talking to Israel (again, from the perspective of being in exile, whether this is long after or prophesies before, doesn’t matter to me right now). Present is bleak, but He will restore them to their land. He will bless them. Depending on theological base, reader will see this chapter as literal promises, or some hyperbole, or metaphorical fulfillments later on. Even at the height of their return later, this was not fulfilled, unless we are waiting for another Jewish kingdom (i.e., Messianic kingdom on earth). Debates occur.

Linked later verse in chapter about God’s presence bc that’s probably the key. Also points to vv in NT, like in Revelation 22 where God finally dwells with His people in new heavens/earth. The point of this is God will cause His people to return and He will protect/bless them. Notice that these actions are by default an invitation to the other nations to come experience the true God. This is a kernel (wouldn’t call it prophecy or even foreshadow) but it will be unpacked in NT times. These truths will expand so nations come to know YHWH through Jesus. 

We just still have to argue over if Jesus has to have a temporary kingdom before the eternal one. Fun.